Holiday Fitness

Sarah Lee Sheppard is University of Richmond's fitness manager overseeing the university's required wellness courses and wellness outreach across campus.

She says it is important to not take a holiday break with exercise routines. She can offer simple tips on how to keep moving during the holidays, such as checking out a gym near where you are visiting for a guest pass.

Lee offers these five specific tips:

• Get the whole family involved. Take a walk around the neighborhood or to the park. The more people, the more motivation.
• Exercise first thing in the morning if you are traveling to ensure you get it done.
• Check out gyms near where you are visiting for free trials or guest passes.
• Tell someone about your fitness goals. “If you tell your family members or friends that you plan to jog or walk a mile every day over the holiday break, you are much more likely to do it,” Sheppard says.
• Finally, get extra steps. “Park further away at the mall or store while holiday shopping or take the stairs instead of the escalator in the airport,” she suggests.

Contact Sunni Brown, director of media and public relations, at sbrown5@richmond.edu to connect with Lee.